Rapid Penang Bus 204 from Penang Hill Railway Lower Station to KOMTAR

Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 operates from Stesen Bukit Bendera to Komtar Utara and Jetty in Georgetown. The bus stop name of Stesen Bukit Bendera is albeit incomplete as it is located at Penang Hill Railway Lower Station at Air Itam, and not on Penang Hill itself. Heading back down to Georgetown, I had timed my departure from Penang Hill with the scheduled departure of Rapid Penang Bus Service 204.

Penang Hill Railway Lower Station (Stesen Bukit Bendera)

Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 departs from the car park building opposite Penang Hill Railway Lower Station.

My 12.45pm bus was already waiting at the bus berth, with the driver taking his rest on board.

Bus departure information is available on a screen in front of the bus berth.

About 3 minutes to departure, the bus door opened for boarding.

The typical interior of Rapid Penang’s single deck buses.

The view of the Rapid Penang single deck bus from my seat.

Next bus stop information is available on screens on board the bus.

My ticket for the Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 journey from Bukit Bendera (Penang Hill Railway Lower Station) to Komtar Utara which costs RM2.00. Only cash and Pas Mutiara are accepted on board Rapid Penang buses. Malaysian citizens with the Pas Mutiara can ride on all Rapid Penang bus services for free in 2022.

Departing from Stesen Bukit Bendera bus stop at Penang Hill Railway Lower Station.

There are also taxis waiting at Penang Hill Railway Lower Station.

It’s a straight road to Georgetown, but Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 also operates as a residential bus route serving Air Itam and Rifle Range.

Heading around more residential areas around Kampung Melayu.

Crossing the main Jalan Air Itam to Padang Tembak or Rifle Range.

Heading around more high density residential areas at Rifle Range.

Heading back onto the main Jalan Air Itam after exiting from the residential estates.

Passing through the Masjid Negeri Pulau Pinang junction.

Passing by Persatuan Pandu Puteri Pulau Pinang.

Passing by SMKA Al-Mashoor bus stop which is a main transfer point.

Passing by Methodist Boys’ School with students finishing school for the day.

Making a brief stop at Nagarathar Sivan Temple with a view of KOMTAR right in front.

Preparing to alight at the main junction of Jalan Dato Keramat, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Magazine, and Jalan Penang.

Alighting at Komtar Utara bus stop for KOMTAR. On the route towards Jetty, Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 does not enter KOMTAR Bus Terminal.

My Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 journey from Stesen Bukit Bendera (Penang Hill Railway Lower Station) to Komtar Utara took 32 minutes.

Komtar Utara is located to the west of KOMTAR, contrary to the bus stop name.

The Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 will continue on to Jetty where it terminates.

If heading to KOMTAR, cross the road at the junction in front of Komtar Utara bus stop and walk in.

Conclusion

The Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 is a direct bus from Penang Hill Railway Lower Station to the heart of Georgetown which is a useful route for tourists.

Do note, however, that while this is a one-seat ride, the Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 is not a straight route as Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 also serves residential areas close to Penang Hill, twisting and turning around Air Itam.

The frequency of Rapid Penang Bus Service 204 is also not great, with an average of 1 bus every 45 minutes.

If you have a tight itinerary for Penang and Penang Hill, you may wish to choose a Grab or taxi to save the waiting and travelling time between Penang Hill Railway Lower Station and Georgetown, even with this direct bus service available.